Romania's communist-era traffic restrictions, a model for Beijing during the Olympics

A new alternative traffic system came into force in Beijing for the duration of the Olympics in order to avoid traffic congestion and pollution. Thus, cars will be allowed on roads depending on whether the last number on the car plates are even or uneven. This method was also used by Romania’s late communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu starting in 1980, Romanian news agency NewsIn reads.

One citizen declared that the new invention makes wonders. The rule will be maintained until September 20 and it is enforced to improve Beijing’s air quality. Some 10,000 athletes will attend this Olympics edition and pollution is one of the biggest problems faced by Chinese authorities.

In Beijing there are some 3.3 million cars and the new measure will improve traffic condition. In communist-era Romania, this measure was only enforced on Sundays and the motivations were mainly economic.